Months after Marawi siege, ASEAN leaders condemn terrorism in draft statement

MANILA, Philippines — The leaders of Southeast Asian nations strongly condemned terrorism and its manifestations, according to a draft statement to be released during its regional summit in the Philippine capital, highlighting the issue's new prominent focus in the bloc's agenda following a deadly and destructive siege of a southern Philippine city recently.

The leaders of the member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Manila this week for the group's 31st summit also committed to implement a pact on counter-terrorism as well as other international instruments and guidelines to combat extremist ideologies and prevent them from taking hold in the diverse region of around 620 million people.

"We reiterated our strong condemnation of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations," the draft chairman's statement of the 31st ASEAN Summit said.

"We are committed to effectively implement the ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism (ACCT), while taking into account the international instruments and guidelines, including the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy, and the United Nations Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism," it added.

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The group said some actions that could help combat violent extremism were preventive education, involvement of women and youth and promotion of peace and moderation as a counter-narrative.

Terrorism shoot up in the bloc's and region's agenda following the siege of Marawi City, where more than 1,000 were killed, mostly combatants, and more than 300,000 people were forced to flee their homes.

The five-month battle also charred the lakeside town's once-bustling center. According to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi might cost at least P50 billion.

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The group of 10 nations also condemned piracy and armed robbery of ships in seas, which President Rodrigo Duterte said in his opening remarks dented and disrupted the stability of trade and commerce.

The group also commended the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia for signing a trilateral marine agreement that sought to improve security in the countries shared waters.

"We were pleased with the progressive development of the TCA (Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement) and reiterated our support to the TCA and other sub-regional efforts to combat transnational crime in the enhancement of regional maritime security," the draft document said.

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ASEAN leaders also expressed readiness to cooperate with their dialog partners and other external parties based on mutually agreed modalities and international and domestic laws.

The group also took note of the challenges of illegal and unregulated fishing which they said had become more complex over the years.

They also agreed to expand regional cooperation in addressing the issue through support for the effective implementation of relevant international laws and instruments.

"We underscored the importance of strengthening linkages in maritime cooperation to further promote mutual trust and confidence to ensure security, peace and stability including in ensuring safety and freedom of navigation and over flight," the leaders said.

ASEAN leaders as well as other regional players such as US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Chinese Premier Li Kequiang, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guteres and European Council President Donald Tusk are in Manila for a series of summits and meetings in the next two days.

Prominent on these meetings' agenda are the missile and nuclear program of North Korean, the West Philippine Sea, terrorism and extremism and US commitment to its allies in the region as China becomes increasingly assertive of its power and influence.